Lidge and Manuel talk it out

Tuesday’s game was on the line in the ninth inning, and the Phillies turned to their bullpen.

But when the gate opened and a pitcher came running onto the field, it wasn’t closer Brad Lidge.

Instead, J.C. Romero started the ninth inning.

That prompted radio personality Howard Eskin to say to Manuel in his postgame press conference, “Charlie, if Lidge is your closer….”

Then Manuel cut him off.

“Lidge is our closer, so… let's leave it right there,” Manuel said. “Lidge is our closer, all right? In my mind Lidge is our closer and that's what counts. He is our closer.”

There were special circumstances on Tuesday, Manuel said. He wanted Romero, a lefty, to face the top three hitters in Cleveland’s lineup.

“I wanted to put Romero on the weaker hitters, from the right side,” Manuel said.

Romero was set to face the switching hitter Trevor Crowe, lefty Shin-Soo Choo and switch-hitter Carlos Santana. Choo and Santana have significantly better numbers against right-handed pitchers, especially Santana, who is hitting .444 against righties and just .231 against lefties.

Romero wound up getting Crowe to ground out, but he let Choo reach on an infield single before walking Santana.

Lidge came in with one out and two on and retired the two batters he faced to get the save and secure the Phillies’ win.

He admitted he had hoped to start the inning, but when Manuel talked the situation over with him after the game, he understood where his manager was coming from.

“Obviously, If I’m closing I want the inning, but at the same time I understand,” he admitted. “You can use it for motivation for sure. J.C. is as good as it gets getting lefties out, so I had no problem with Chuck doing whatever he’s doing. But you’re always looking to find ways to motivate yourself. Of course, I joined the season a little late this year, so I’ve got to get his confidence. We talked about it and we’re on the same page.”

Before Wednesday’s game, Manuel stood by his decision to divvy up the ninth.

“Lidge was good as far as command, especially on righties with his slider away,” Manuel said. “I want to be able to turn Lidge loose and let him be the closer, and consistently be our closer, let him work three and four nights and have a day off, get kind of organized to where our bullpen can operate normally. I think he's getting close. Just because he gave up a home run the other night – don't get me wrong, I didn't want to see him give up a home run – but that’s all part of it. Also, a pretty good hitter (Joe Mauer) hit that home run. I mean, that’s baseball. He's going to giveup some more. But at the same time, how he's throwing and how he's handling things counts. Right now he's pretty confident.”

DOBBS CLEARS WAIVERS

Phillies utilityman Greg Dobbs cleared waivers on Wednesday and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he’ll report on Friday. Manuel is glad that he’s still with the club.

“To me, that was the purpose of sending Dobbs down, let him stay there a while and get some at-bats,” Manuel said. “When you sit on the bench like that, that's what happens. I guarantee you in a month or two Bruntlett will start playing better and show up in the big leagues again. I told you guys at the start of last year, Stairs had 240 at-bats, he may not hit as good because he won't get as many at-bats. When you sit on the bench, your skills get behind. It's not only your hitting, it's running and fielding too.”

Manuel said he thinks it will take Dobbs probably 100 at-bats to get sharp again.

What’s new:Ryan Madson took part in PFP on Wednesday, an encouraging sign for the reliever.

Of note:Carlos Ruiz sat on the bench for Tuesday’s game, but is not yet taking batting practice, Manuel said.

Pre-game quote of the day:“I knew I would miss being a part of the Phillies organization,” said former Phillies prospect Jason Donald, who’s now playing for the Indians. “I was drafted by them and had built relationships with people. But I’m excited for the opportunity and for where the Indians are trying to go.”

Best of Charlie’s chat: “I would say the biggest concern on our team is as long as our pitchers are consistent. In the long run, as the season continues on its course, I think that's going to be the big thing about it. Now if we don't score runs for a long time or for the rest of the year, that would be kind of bad.”

Stat of the day:Jimmy Rollins ranks 5th in Phillies history with 96 triples. He need one more to tie Hall of Famer Richie Asburn for fourth place.

Visiting team tidbits:Thursday’s starter, Fausto Carmona, has gone at least five innings in all 14 of his starts this season.